Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, has defended the Church’s independence, insisting it exists to speak truth and uphold moral values rather than obey the government.
In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, November 3, 2025, Owino described the Church as a longstanding moral compass for Kenyans, guiding citizens through times of peace, struggle, and uncertainty.
“The Church does not exist at the pleasure of any government. It exists by divine calling, to speak the truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable,” Owino said.
He highlighted that the Church has historically stood with the people, providing a voice for the voiceless and a refuge for the weary. According to Owino, while governments enact laws and maintain order, the Church’s role is to nurture moral values and hold leaders accountable.
Owino criticised attempts to silence or intimidate religious leaders, warning that curtailing the Church’s voice undermines the freedoms Kenyans enjoy. “Whenever the state tries to silence the pulpit, it is not just the Church that is threatened, it is freedom itself,” he added.
The MP emphasised that respect for authority does not require silence or submission to injustice. He urged citizens to recognise the Church’s critical role in safeguarding the conscience of the nation and guiding ethical conduct.
Owino’s remarks come amid criticism from some politicians targeting the Church for speaking out on governance and national issues. He stressed that the Church has a duty to remind both leaders and citizens that “power without justice is tyranny, and authority without humility is dangerous.”
He concluded by calling on Kenyans to support the Church as a vital institution capable of holding leaders accountable and guiding the nation’s moral compass.
Babu Owino’s defence underscores the enduring role of the Church in Kenya as more than a religious body—it is a guardian of morality and an essential voice in public discourse.
